Regis

Pete, You are in for a lot of views. I can tell you how my search went. My 1st thought was to not have to get a bigger machine so I ended up with Artisan Toro 3000. It's a great machine and I'll never do anything too thick for it to handle. Then, I also want to do small items (wallets, folders, etc.) with smaller threads than work well on the 3000. Plus, I wanted to be able to carry a machine out of town to family where we sometimes stay a week or so. To solve that, I bought Consew CP146R and added a Monster Balance Wheel from Sailrite. I am REAL happy with BOTH machines. For me, I think 2 machines are necessary. If that 12 oz is +- 5 oz, with similar thread sizes, you can probably find a single machine. Sure hope you can try FIRST as I feel I took a lot of risk ordering without trying. Best of luck.

BTW & FWIW, that's exactly how you clean ancient Roman (and other) coins.

Great work. Did you airbrush or apply the dye by hand (somehow)?

Neat and clean work. That is an interseting inner boarder stamped on the 1st one. Looks a little like a 4 point star tool(??). Thanks for sharing.

Hilly, First off, welcome to leatherworker.net. There are several discussions here on knife sharpening and stropping that you should read. Stropping is the finishing touch to polish your knife edge and then keep it sharp. It must be sharp to begin with and that 1300 will help. I use a flat board with 1000 grit cemented on one end and business card with rouge on the other. You want to polish your knife often as then it will cut smooth without dragging or jerking. Sharpening knives is a science/art of its own. There are different wasy to keep leather from stretching. I now use the clear packing tape on the back and that works for me. Take your time and expect to trash some leather so I hope you have some scraps. Regis

Neat work and good tutorial. What is the width & hight of your craftool? That will help establish the ratio from the 15/32 for the stamp that I have. I think I could use the same concept using the "I" type boarder tool to creat an interesting boarder (seen that somewhere???).

Schmetz sells 328 for leather so any dealer selling Schmetz can order them. If they need a needle number, you can get it here. Schmetz site From index, go to needle systems and you'll find 328.

Duane, Welcome to the forum and it looks like you are really set for sewing. Great to see someone elase here in the Florida panhandle (I'm in Pensacola). Looking forward to seeing some of you work plus there are lots of helpful experts willing to answer questions. Regis

All, Thanks for the education... I'll have to try tooling some and use for folders or wallets.

Dale, It was a great idea to do this example but, I do have a couple questions. What would you expect from the best tools compared to off-the-shelf tools? Clearer detail, work faster, ease of use, life of tool, pride of ownership, impression that simply could only be made with better tool, etc? If you did the same project with the best tools, what would actually expect to look different (assuming only same amount ot time spent)? I asked because I plan to replace only a few of my most used tools with top quality. I have already got a Henley knife and it has improved my cuts (cuz it's smoother, fits better, and was sharper to begin with) but, I don't know what to expect from other tools. Thank again for the topic and demo. Regis

What can be done with Veg tanned goat and other hides? Is tooling and dying the same? Or do they have different properties than veg tanned cow hide and perhaps just useful for linnings? Thanks, Regis

Welcome Freddie, I think you'll find several NY'rs here. Lot's of good folks to help or to enjoy seeing your work.

Johanna, Here's one vote in favor of the new main leatherworker.net page. I like it! :biggrin:

Hiloboy, "NICE" shop! I see that New Hermes TX(?) engraver sitting on the bench. Are you doing signs or trophys with it? Sold mine a couple years ago (space issue as "sometimes" somethin' has to go). Sister-in-law in Atlanta has one with lots and lots of fonts she wants to sell cuz she's gone computerized.

Marlon, Hope you get a chance to try a Henley. I bought thin angle blade from Henley based on similar thread early this year. I just can't imagine a better blade. If you can try lots of knives. That is best thing. I found that when a knife fits you better, you will cut better . The right fit now keeps me from tilting knife to the left. Best of luck finding just the right one. Regis

Helen, Glad to have you join us. Leather is such a versatile medium, enjoy.

Luke, I had 2 sizes made by Jeff at Grey Ghost. He uses CorelDraw so I sent him both the Corel and jpg files. If you send a dfx, plt, or other type, you may want to also send a jpg so you both see the same thing. I did learn that it is NOT a good idea to put much on the stamp. I created my and it looked great on that 18" monitor. Jeff cautioned me that it wouldn't work as small as I wanted so I bumped them up some. End result was that Jeff made beautiful stamps but, mine are a bit busy. When I get back home, I post picture so you can see what is too much. Regis

Johanna, Looks like 30+ people already joined. Can you tell how many have made it? I did see one in Germany and one in Hawaii but, rest in USA

Works for me....when you click on the link it will open another window. Hover you mouse in the window and click where it says "start......". Then it begins loading....slowly but,,,loads. if you interupt it during loading or don't start the java.....well...I have to close and start over. Not a nice clean interface but, it does work

Luis, Glad you joined us. It looks like you are off to a good start. Welcome.

Now those are leaves! Did you draw them all at once or did you add leaves ans you went along?

I've sold (and NOT sold) a variety of items on ebay. Price is not limiting (into the few thousands anyways). Items that you can not show "convincingly" that it is better than walmart will not sell at any premium. If in picutures, facts, and words you can clearly diffrenciate the quality, then you will be successful. When I sell a violin or bow, I present facts & very good quality photo's. There will be 200-400 people view the item and it sells. I have tried custom jewelery and I could not make the case so they didn't go well. Artwork from unknown or very little know artists are a difficult sell. Of course, one could say that a big part of the value in art is recognition and notariety of the artist. I think leather where a strong quality case can be made (like Ed is doing) will sell. I'll take a stab at it next year. fwiw, Regis

Glad you found our site Rawhide1. Looking forward to seeing some of your work.

Questions and answers generate friendships so ask away. Welcome SScott

Welcome Steve and looking forward to you work and participation.